January transfer window: Paul Merson on Alexander Isak to Arsenal, Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and Rodri replacement | Football News

As the January transfer window opens, Paul Merson gives his thoughts on whether Arsenal need a striker, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool and why Manchester City need a Rodri replacement.

Despite Gabriel Jesus’ goalscoring streak in recent weeks, Sky Sports Newcastle’s Alexander Isak will “take Arsenal to the next level”, says pundit.

Premier League leader “Liverpool” also continues to raise questions about Alexander-Arnold’s contracts. Who is interested in Real Madrid? – Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

Meanwhile, can Manchester City still salvage their season by bringing in a midfielder to fill the void left by the injured Rodri?

Read Merson’s thoughts on what could unfold in next month’s transfer window…

“Arsenal should break the bank for Isak”.

If I were Arsenal and I had the money I would go out and buy (Alexander) I would break the bank for him. He is the best of the best and takes Arsenal to another level.

What I like about Jesus is that he came back to the team and said “this time I’m going to go on the field and score goals”. If I’m going to stay in this team, I’ve got to score goals’ and that’s what he’s done. The goal against Brentford was a proper poacher’s goal and it’s rare that we see him in the six-yard box, heading them in.

With Kai Havertz also back, it pushes him back into midfield, but as a striker, Havertz will naturally be in the box and there’s an extra body there.

If Jesus can keep doing what he’s doing, they won’t have to (bring in a striker). But looking at the big picture and also next season, if they can get Issac, who I think is the best in the business right now, I think , that it would be a huge coup for Arsenal.

“Trent will join Real Madrid, but I will be shocked if it happens in January.

In football terms, £20 million is hardly anything in the Premier League. You have to keep him. He’s a special player, let’s make the most of him for the next four or five months.

His range of passes is second to none, we have to enjoy him. He certainly won’t want to go to Real Madrid at the moment.

“Liverpool” has incredible chances to win the Premier League. They did it in 2020 when The Kop wasn’t full and nobody was there. Unless you’re a Manchester United or Arsenal fan, who wouldn’t want them to win the league this season?

I don’t know if anyone has ever rejected Real Madrid. They’re just a special club, he’s not going down. Liverpool have a much better chance of winning the Champions League this season, but if they sign him, they’ll have an incredible talent.

He will be in “Real” (next season). I don’t see anything but “Real”. When you get your contract to the last six months, the money he lost by not signing a new contract on a higher salary.

I don’t see it not happening, but I’d be hugely shocked if it happened in January.

“It’s criminal to have three of your best players out of contract in six months”

I think all three, Trent, Van Dijk and Salah are absolute merits to be honest.

I think for their contracts to be reduced to six months, as it always happens in football, it’s criminal. Three of your best players are out of contract in six months, it’s unheard of really.

I can’t remember anywhere else where you’ve had three top, top, top players out of contract. If they can keep two of the three, they’ve had the biggest hit ever. I thought they’d lose all three :

If Trent goes, but they can keep Van Dijk and Salah, I think they’ve got the biggest result ever. But for Liverpool to be in that position, as I say, in football, it’s criminal.

“Manchester City” should prioritize Rodri’s replacement.

Manchester City will probably have to go into the market in January and get someone in because I don’t think they will challenge for the top four as a team at the moment.

Their priority should be the defensive midfield. I know people are going, “It’s not just his job. I think it was just as simple.”

If you drive a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce and put a diesel in it, it won’t get you anywhere. It doesn’t matter how good you are, how good the car is, if you don’t have the thing that makes it. make it work inside the engine, it won’t, and that’s been proven with Rhodri.

They are so open and the problem with Rhodri is that he sees danger. How many times do you see Manchester City attacking now and they are everywhere? That didn’t happen with Rhodri.

He pointed it out. Those little five, 10-yard balls through the lines to (Bernardo) Silva, to Kevin De Bruyne, it doesn’t happen now. They don’t get the ball that quickly, and when you don’t get the ball that quickly, things close down is

Those players need time and space, and if they do, they’ll absolutely destroy you. But right now, they’re not getting it because the ball isn’t moving through the lanes fast enough. The defense is all over the place, they don’t have that defense.

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